Peach tree (Rs-2)

ABSTRACT

A peach tree which is of medium size, vigorous, upright, dense, round-topped, and hardy; foliated with large, oval-lanceolate, abruptly pointed leaves having a glandular, finely serrate margin, a petiole of medium length and thickness, and medium size, alternate, green, reniform glands; blooms early with medium size, pink flowers whose buds are hardy, free, and of medium size and length; and is a regular and very productive bearer of uniform, medium size, broadly compressed, globose, freestone, early-ripening fruit having yellow skin blushed with red, and yellow flesh.

BACKGROUND OF THE VARIETY

1. Field of the Invention

In the operation and maintenance of a ranch, located near Dinuba, TulareCounty, Calif., I do--as owner--travel about such ranch for the purposeof inspection, soil cultivation, irrigation, and harvesting of crops.Against this background of activities, the present variety of peach treewas discovered by me.

2. Classification of the Variety

The present variety of peach tree is embraced by Class 43, Plants, ofthe United States Patent Office MANUAL OF CLASSIFICATION.

3. Prior Varieties

Among existing varieties of peach trees which are known to me, andmentioned herein, is the May Crest (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 4,064).

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

The present variety of peach tree was discovered by me growing as asport limb on one tree in a May Crest orchard on my ranch located asaforesaid; it having been observed by me--during the approach of aharvest season--that the fruit on such sport limb matured earlier thanthe remainder of the fruit on the tree. Subsequently, I maintained suchsport limb under close and continued annual observation in order toconfirm the early ripening and other characteristics of its fruit. Withsuch confirmation, I determined to asexually reproduce the variety inanticipation of commercial growing thereof.

ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION OF THE VARIETY

The present variety of peach tree was asexually reproduced, on mybehalf, by budding undertaken by a commercial nursery, and thereproductions, grown on my said ranch, ran true--in maturity--in allrespects.

SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY

The present variety of peach tree is of medium size, vigorous, upright,dense, round-topped, and hardy; foliated with large, oval-lanceolate,abruptly pointed leaves having a glandular, finely serrate margin, apetiole of medium length and thickness, and medium size, alternate,green, reniform glands; blooms early with medium size, pink flowerswhose buds are hardy, free, and of medium size and length; and is aregular and very productive bearer of uniform, medium size, broadlycompressed, globose, freestone, early-ripening fruit having yellow skinblushed with red, and yellow flesh.

The present variety of peach tree is further and more particularlycharacterized by fruit which--while generally similar to the MayCrest--has a harvest period abour four to five days earlier, and is oflarger size, more uniform, and with slightly more red blush.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The drawing is an illustration, by photographic reproduction in color,of separate fruit of the present variety; one fruit remaining attachedto a twig with leaves, and another fruit being half cut away to exposethe flesh and with the stone remaining in place.

DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIETY

The botanical details of this new and distinct variety of peachtree--with color definitions (except those in common color terms)referenced to Maerz and Paul Dictionary of Color--are as follows:

Tree:

Size.--Medium.

Vigor.--Vigorous.

Growth.--Upright.

Density.--Dense.

Form.--Round-topped.

Hardiness.--Hardy.

Production.--Very productive.

Bearing.--Regular bearer.

Trunk:

Size.--Medium.

Texture.--Medium.

Branches:

Size.--Medium.

Texture.--Medium.

Color.--New wood -- Green. Mature wood -- Brown.

Lenticels:

Number.--Medium.

Size.--Medium.

Leaves:

Size.--Large. Average length -- 71/2". Average width -- 13/4".

Form.--Oval -- lanceolate. Abruptly pointed.

Thickness.--Medium.

Color.--Top side -- Dark green (23-L-7). Under side -- Lighter green(22-J-6).

Texture.--Smooth.

Margin.--Glandular. Finely serrate.

Petiole.--Medium length. Medium thickness.

Glands.--Average number -- 1 to 2. Alternate. Medium size. Reniform.Green.

Flower buds:

Hardiness.--Hardy.

Size.--Medium.

Length.--Medium.

Form.--Free.

Flowers:

Blooming period.--Feb. 27, 1984. Early.

Size.--Medium.

Color.--Pink.

Fruit:

Maturity when described.--Hard ripe.

Date of first picking.--May 12, 1984.

Date of last picking.--May 17, 1984.

Size.--Uniform. Medium. Average diameter axially -- 21/4". Averagetransversely in suture plane -- 23/4".

Form.--Uniform. Globose. Broadly compressed.

Suture.--A shallow, inconspicuous line extending from base to beyond butdiscontinuous at apex, with slight depression beyond pistil point.

Ventral surface.--Rounded slightly.

Lips.--Equal.

Cavity.--Rounded. Circular. Elongated in suture plane with sutureshowing on both sides. Average depth -- 3/8". Average breadth -- 3/4".

Base.--Rounded.

Apex.--Short.

Pistil point.--Apical.

Skin:

Thickness.--Medium.

Texture.--Medium.

Tenacity.--Tenacious to flesh.

Tendency to crack.--None in wet season.

Color.--Ground color -- Yellow (10-L-2) substantially overspread withred (7-L-5). Partially mottled.

Pubescence.--Short. Does not roll up when rubbed.

Flesh:

Color.--Yellow (11-L-5) with reddish tinge.

Surface of pit cavity.--Red with white fibers.

Amygdalin.--Moderate.

Texture.--Firm. Crisp. Meaty.

Fibers.--Fine.

Ripens.--Evenly.

Flavor.--Mild.

Aroma.--Distinct.

Eating quality.--Good.

Stone

Type.--Free. Parts from flesh smoothly.

Fibers.--Short.

Size.--Medium. Average length -- 11/4". Average breadth -- 3/4". Averagethickness -- 5/8".

Form.--Oblong -- Oval.

Base.--Oblique.

Hilum.--Oval.

Apex.--Rounded.

Sides.--Equal.

Surface.--Regularly furrowed.

Ridges.--Rounded.

Pits.--Circular.

Ventral edge.--Thin.

Dorsal edge.--Shallow.

Color.--Beige (11-H-6).

Tendency to split.--Slight.

Use: Market.

Keeping quality: Good.

Shipping Quality: Good.

Resistance to insects and diseases: Good.

The peach tree and its fruit herein described may vary in slight detaildue to climatic and soil conditions under which the variety may begrown; the present description being of the variety as grown in theCentral Valley of California.

We claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of peach tree, substantially asillustrated and described, particularly characterized by fruitwhich--while generally similar to the May Crest--has a harvest periodabout four to five days earlier, and is of larger size, more uniform,and with slightly more red blush.